Recall 14V285 affects 183,425 2010-2014 Ford Taurus vehicles for corroded license-plate lamps that can short circuit. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 183,425 2010-2014 Taurus sedans in road-salt states because water intrusion can corrode the license plate lamp assembly. The corrosion can cause a short circuit and increase fire risk, and the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The license plate lamp assembly on 2010-2014 Ford Taurus vehicles is the small rear lighting unit that illuminates the license plate. It includes the lamp, its housing, and electrical contacts, so the plate stays visible at night and the circuit stays protected from water.
In the recalled Taurus vehicles, water gets into the assembly. In areas that use road salt, that moisture carries salt into the lamp area and starts an electro-chemical reaction, which is a corrosion process between metal parts and electrical current. Corrosion then attacks the contacts or nearby wiring, and the lamp assembly stops working correctly.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will only notice the problem once the rear plate light is dim, flickers, or no longer turns on.
Who's affected?
Spans five Taurus model years, all tied to exterior lighting.
| 2014 Ford Taurus | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2013 Ford Taurus | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Ford Taurus | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Ford Taurus | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Ford Taurus | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 183,425 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
Corrosion around the license plate lamp assemblies can cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. If your VIN is included, schedule service soon and ask the dealer whether the vehicle needs any driving limits before repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2014 Ford Taurus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask about the free license plate lamp assembly replacement that fixes the corrosion and short-circuit risk.
- Reference recall number 14V285 and Ford recall 14S08 when you call.
- Bring the Ford owner notice dated July 26, 2014 if you have it.
- Park the vehicle away from structures if you see melting, smoke, or burning near the rear license plate lamps, then contact the dealer before driving.
What happens at the repair
Ford's filing says owners were notified after the recall began on July 26, 2014. Once the dealer repair is available for your VIN, a Ford technician replaces the license plate lamp assemblies at no charge. For Taurus vehicles in non-corrosion states, Ford's related program 14R01 says the same lamp assembly replacement is handled at the customer's request. Parts and labor are covered under the recall path.
Timeline
| May 29, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 26, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V285?
Recall 14V285 covers 183,425 2010-2014 Ford Taurus vehicles sold or registered in road-salt states. Water intrusion can corrode the license plate lamp assembly, causing a short circuit and increasing fire risk. Ford dealers replace the license plate lamp assemblies for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2014 Ford Taurus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Taurus is included in recall 14V285. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule replacement of the license plate lamp assemblies. Reference recall 14V285 or Ford recall number 14S08 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford dealers replace the affected license plate lamp assemblies free of charge. Ford customer service is available at 1-800-392-3673 if the dealer needs help locating recall 14S08.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. In areas that use road salt, water intrusion can cause corrosion in the license plate lamp assembly. That corrosion can create a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Ford Taurus used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or the place where you bought the vehicle. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Ford dealer with recall 14V285 or Ford recall number 14S08 if your Taurus is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V285000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-800-392-3673 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V285 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V285000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →